About Us

What we do

Meet Our Team

Purpose & Values

NAMI Spokane offers hope and health for people who are experiencing mental health concerns and their families today, as we work to build a stigma-free tomorrow. Our education programs, support groups, and advocacy are offered at no cost to participants, and are all peer-led, by someone who has walked the same path.

Our Purpose

Empowering those affected by mental health conditions and their families to live their most fulfilling lives.

Our Values

Compassion, Courage and Community

We Have the Power to Impact People’s Lives, by Working Together.

Meet the NAMI Spokane Team

Everything we do is led by people who have been there too. You are not alone.

Our Staff

Chauntelle Lieske, Executive Director

chauntelle@namispokane.org

Ashley Olivarez, Programs and Community Engagement Manager

ashley@namispokane.org

Our Board of Directors

Rob McKinney, President

Dr. Pam Kohlmeier, Secretary

Kristi Morris, Member-at-Large

Don Robinson, Vice President

Karen Schuh, Treasurer

Stevie Sloan, Member-at-Large

Michelle Ghrist, Member-at-Large

Shane Garcia, Member-at-Large

Wade Hunt, Member-at-Large

Kirstin O’Connor, Member-at-Large

Chauntelle Lieske

Executive Director

Chauntelle has a B.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of Delaware and comes to NAMI Spokane from Safe Passage in Coeur d'Alene, ID where she served as the Executive Director beginning in 2017. She started her work in the field of domestic and sexual violence as a criminal advocate on the Spokane Regional Domestic Violence Team supporting survivors within the criminal justice system. While still at the YWCA of Spokane, Chauntelle worked as the Associate Director of Legal Services before moving to Safe Passage as their Program Director. At Safe Passage, she was quickly promoted to Executive Director where she focused her efforts on building positive relationships with stakeholders and community members in order to strengthen the impact of their services.

Chauntelle has a passion for serving her community and ensuring all members have access to support and services. Her work with survivors sparked her desire in working with those living with mental health conditions. The long-term impact of trauma on survivors was often misunderstood leaving survivors with untreated mental health. In 2014 Chauntelle lost her mother to suicide and knew she was being called to help raise awareness around those living with mental health conditions. Chauntelle is passionate about the mission of NAMI Spokane and excited to ensure Spokane is building ways to support those living with mental health conditions while reducing the stigma surrounding mental health.

Ashley Olivarez

Programs and Community Engagment Manager

As the Program and Community Engagement Manager at NAMI Spokane, Ashley is passionate about supporting individuals and families navigating mental health challenges. With a strong foundation in community engagement, Ashley began her career working directly with children with disabilities, fostering deep relationships with families to ensure their needs were met. This experience naturally led to a position at the Ronald McDonald House, where Ashley played a key role in creating a supportive, socially, and emotionally safe environment for families whose children were in the hospital.

Building on this background, Ashley transitioned into Development, gaining experience in event coordination and fundraising. This blend of experience in direct service and strategic planning uniquely positions Ashley to connect with diverse community members and enhance NAMI Spokane's mission.

Originally from Colorado, Ashley moved to Spokane after graduating from Doane University in Nebraska, where she played soccer and studied Sociology, Criminology, and Psychology. Outside of work, Ashley enjoys reading, playing soccer, and exploring the outdoors, always seeking ways to connect with others and give back to the community.

Rob McKinney

Member-At-Large

Rob McKinney started his career in mental health counseling by obtaining a M.Div. with an emphasis in Pastoral Care and Counseling at Lincoln, IL. This is where he first developed his passion for the counseling profession. Since then, he has obtained his M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Eastern Illinois University and earned his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at Kent State University.

Rob moved to Spokane in 2018 when he started working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counselor Education at Gonzaga University. Rob enjoys working as a counselor educator because he gets to instill a passion for this profession into his students, teach and foster counseling skills, and engage in both research and service opportunities.

Rob’s research interests include multicultural considerations in counseling, counseling work related to LGBTGEQIAP+ individuals, and counselor development. Within these areas, Rob has published several peer-reviewed articles and has presented at local, state, regional, national, and international conferences.

Aside from research, Rob is proud to be a member of the American Counseling Association, Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, and the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities (both the national division and the Washington state chapter). Rob also serves as the Chapter Faculty Advisor for Gonzaga’s chapter of Chi Sigma Iota (Gamma Chi Epsilon), the international honor society that values excellence in the counseling profession. In addition, he is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate and a National Certified Counselor.

Rob is proud to offer his services to the larger Spokane-community through NAMI Spokane. He believes in the empowerment of all people effected by mental health concerns. He is passionate about education, advocacy, and supporting those within the Spokane-area and beyond.

Dr Pam Kohlmeier

Member-At-Large

Dr. Kohlmeier is dually licensed as a physician and an attorney in the State of Washington. She has served as a Staff Attorney and Hearings Examiner for the Washington Medical Commission and as a Lecturer for the Master of Public Health program at Eastern Washington University, where she taught Health Law, Professionalism, and Health Inequities. Dr. Kohlmeier practiced as a Board Certified Emergency Physician for approximately 15 years prior to becoming an attorney. She is committed to supporting patients with mental illnesses and their families, after loosing a brother and an adult child to suicide.

Kristi Morris

Member-at-Large

Kristi Morris is a Spokane-based Realtor with nearly six years of experience helping clients navigate buying and selling with confidence. She proudly hangs her license at Windermere Manito and is known for being a steady, knowledgeable guide.

Deeply rooted in her community, Kristi has extensive board and nonprofit experience, including serving on the Boards of Beyond Pink and Girls on the Run of Spokane County. She currently supports Beyond Pink through its Marketing Committee, serves on the Windermere Foundation Committee, as well as the Fundraising Committee for NAMI Spokane.

Outside of real estate, Kristi - also known as Kristi Gorenson - is the host of the TV show Washington Grown, where she celebrates Washington’s food and farms. Kristi is "Washington-grown" through and through. She was born and raised in Puyallup, WA, graduated with a degree in journalism from Washington State University, and has the pleasure of calling Spokane home for almost 30 years!

Mental health and accessible services for mental illness matter deeply to Kristi because they touch every family, including her own, and every community. No one should have to navigate those challenges alone or without support. Kristi is committed to breaking down the stigma surrounding mental illness so individuals and families feel seen, supported, and empowered to seek help.

Julianne moved to Spokane in 2018 after living abroad in support of her spouse’s military career. Her passion for mental health research and advocacy began when her brother started to exhibit symptoms of combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Eager to illuminate the biological mechanisms underlying stress-related mental illnesses, like depression and anxiety disorders, Julianne completed a doctorate in neuroscience where she investigated the effects of stress exposure on cognitive function. She has worked with non-profit organizations on a local and international level since 2012. However, the opportunity to use her background in research to advocate for mental health resources during her non-profit work abroad was particularly impactful for her. The desire to continue supporting mental health outreach and education efforts is what brought Julianne to NAMI Spokane, where she joined the Board in 2019. In her free time, Julianne spends as much time as possible enjoying the outdoors with her family and nurtures her creative side with art projects.

Don Robinson

Member-at-large

Don retired from the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2015 as a Supervisory Special Agent after a 23-year career. During his time in the FBI, Don investigated a wide range of criminal and national security matters. Don also supervised the Coeur d’Alene FBI office from 2005 through 2012 and served as the FBI Legal Attaché in Moscow, Russia from 2012 until his retirement in 2015. While in the FBI Don was trained as a Crisis/Hostage Negotiator and served on a multidisciplinary emergency negotiation team In San Diego, California responsible for mental health crisis and suicide intervention.
Don began a second career with Kootenai Health in September 2015 as the Manager of Behavioral Health Crisis Intervention Services. In that role, he established and managed the Northern Idaho Crisis Center, one of the first behavioral health crisis centers in the state of Idaho. In 2021 Don retired (again) from Kootenai Health. He is now in private practice as a corporate security consultant and trainer specializing in behavioral threat assessment and workplace violence prevention. He is a Certified Threat Manager accredited through the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals.
Don first interacted with NAMI during his crisis intervention work in California. He continued that relationship while managing the Northern Idaho Crisis Center.
Don and his family have lived in the Spokane/Coeur d'Alene area for the past 18 years. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Jacksonville University in Florida, and he subsequently earned a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership degree from Gonzaga University. He and his wife Colleen are the proud parents of four children.

Karen Schuh

Treasurer

Karen has lived in the Spokane area for more than 20 years. Originally from Alaska, she spent a few years in the Tri-Cities before attending Eastern Washington University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting. After graduation, Karen joined a Spokane CPA firm and worked in auditing for several years. She then embarked on a nearly 20-year career at Avista Utilities, where she has held roles in Accounting, Regulatory Affairs, and Technology Project Management.

As a member of the NAMI Spokane Board of Directors, Karen is dedicated to advancing the organization's mission by fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for individuals affected by mental illness. She brings a unique perspective and extensive knowledge to the board, ensuring that NAMI Spokane remains a beacon of hope and support within the community.

Karen enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and pets. She frequently visits her off-grid cabin in Alaska, which she considers her home state. Karen is deeply honored to serve on the NAMI Spokane Board of Directors and is eager to make a positive impact on the lives of those they serve.

Stevie Sloan

Member-at-Large

Stevie Sloan is proud to serve on the NAMI Spokane Board of Directors and is deeply committed to supporting individuals and families affected by mental illness. A Spokane native, Stevie was introduced to NAMI when her family sought support following her brother’s diagnosis with schizophrenia. The organization became a resource for her parents during a time when they felt isolated and overwhelmed. That experience left a lasting impression and inspired Stevie’s dedication to mental health advocacy.

Stevie works in the construction industry for Baker Construction & Development, Inc., where she combines her love for building community with a drive to create lasting impact.

Stevie believes that mental health touches nearly everyone’s life, and that by creating a compassionate, informed, and connected community, we can all be part of the solution. She is honored to contribute to NAMI Spokane’s mission and excited to help strengthen the village of support this organization provides.

Michelle Ghrist

Member-at-Large

Michelle Ghrist moved to Spokane in 2017, when she joined the faculty in the Mathematics Department at Gonzaga University. She is currently the Director of Gonzaga’s Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry. Before moving to Spokane, she lived in Colorado for 21 years, where she was a civilian faculty member of the U.S. Air Force Academy for 15 years and attended graduate school at CU-Boulder in the Applied Mathematics department.

Michelle was the national Secretary-Treasurer for Pi Mu Epsilon, an honorary mathematics society, in 2020-2023. She is currently the head of the finance team at her church, having served in that role for several churches through the years. She has also led middle school and high school math clubs and enjoys speaking with students who are interested in STEM disciplines.

Having seen some family members struggle with mental health issues through the years, Michelle fully supports NAMI Spokane’s mission to come alongside those needing a helping hand. She enjoys peaceful activities such as hiking, reading, listening to music, and viewing art. Michelle also likes to spend time with her family, including recent addition/adoptee Stanley the goldendoodle.

Shane Garcia

Member-At-Large

Shane Garcia was born in Santa Fe, NM and is a member of the Hopi Tribe and Kewa and Acoma Pueblos. Shane was raised on the Hopi Reservation and Kewa Pueblo Reservation. He moved to the Pacific Northwest Region in 2001 and graduated with a Masters in Social Work from Eastern Washington University.

Shane has a wealth of knowledge and experience working in various fields across sectors. He currently works as a Behavioral Health Therapist with the NATIVE Project in Spokane, WA. He is instrumental in the organization of Gathering at the Falls in Spokane. Shane has a passion for supporting individuals and families living with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. He enjoys working with all age groups and ensuring they have access to the support they need and do not face stigma when they are reaching out for help.

Shane is excited to bring his experience, passion and culture to NAMI Spokane. When Shane is not working you can find him training for triathlons, running, spending time with his kids and family, attending cultural community events, reading, and playing pickleball, basketball, softball, and volleyball.

Wade Hunt

Member-At-Large

Wade Hunt is a healthcare executive with a proven track record of success in managing and optimizing healthcare organizations on an international scale. He has spent his career across the West Coast and internationally in Dubai, U.A.E. With an extensive career, Wade has led organizations in growth and contraction cycles.

Wade currently serves as the President of MultiCare Health System's Deaconess and Valley Hospitals in Spokane, WA, a position he has held since February 2025. Prior to his current role, he was responsible for MultiCare’s Pulse Heart Institute across the NW and prior to that was the Chief Operating Officer of MultiCare’s Deaconess Hospital.

Wade is committed to creating a healthy work environment for team members and ensuring exceptional patient care. One of Wade's notable goals is the expansion of services in behavioral and mental health in the Inland Northwest

Wade and his family spend their time out in the mountains and lakes of the Inland Northwest, whether it is biking, golfing or skiing, the love what the Inland Northwest has to offer.

Kirstin O'Connor

Member-at Large

Kirstin O'Connor is a journalist and mother of two, currently reporting for KXLY - 4 News Now in Spokane. She holds a B.A. in Communications from the University of California, San Diego, and has worked in newsrooms across the country, covering stories that inform, empower, and connect communities.

In 2016, while working in Orlando, Kirstin’s newsroom was deeply affected by the Pulse nightclub tragedy. It was a moment that profoundly shaped Kirstin's journalistic mission. Her reporting began to focus on healing, recovery, and the long-term impact of trauma, eventually inspiring her to create a health franchise centered on recovery and patients defying the odds.

Kirstin was introduced to NAMI’s work after losing a family member who struggled with mental illness during the pandemic. Through that loss, she came to understand how essential NAMI is to families and motivated her to become part of that mission.

In 2022, Kirstin returned to the Inland Northwest with her husband, a Spokane native and Washington State University graduate. Kirstin is honored to support NAMI’s mission and bring a storyteller’s perspective to mental health advocacy in her community.